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Black Sabbath's Master of Reality

By John Darnielle
Series: 33 1/3
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4.07 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Black Sabbath's Master of Reality by John Darnielle is a captivating exploration of a teenager's life in the early 1980s, as he grapples with isolation and the harsh realities of a youth confinement facility. The book uses the protagonist's letters to a caseworker as he weaves a narrative deeply connected to the titular album, illustrating the music's profound impact on his world and inner struggles. This poignant story reflects the power of music as a means of escape and self-discovery.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2199
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intersection of music and personal experience, particularly if you have a keen interest in how an iconic album can profoundly impact an individual's life. This work offers a poignant exploration of fandom, imagination, and the way music shapes our personal narratives, making it especially appealing to those who value the emotional connections we form with art.

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Describes Master of Reality in the voice of a fifteen-year-old boy being held in an adolescent psychiatric centre in southern California in 1985.

John Darnielle describes Master of Reality in the voice of a fifteen-year-old boy being held in an adolescent psychiatric center in southern California in 1985. The narrator explains Black Sabbath like an emissary from an alien race describing his culture to his captors: passionately, patiently, and lovingly.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Black Sabbath's Master of Reality has maintained remarkable historical status over several generations; it's a touchstone for the directionless, and common coin for young men and women who've felt excluded from the broader cultural economy.

John Darnielle hears it through the ears of Roger Painter, a young adult locked in a southern California adolescent psychiatric centre in 1985. Deprived of his Walkman and hungry for comfort, he explains Black Sabbath as one might describe air to a fish, or love to an android, hoping to convince his captors to give him back his tapes.

Series: 33 1/3

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

John Darnielle’s book about Master of Reality is a compelling blend of fiction and music criticism, presented as diary entries from a teenager in a psychiatric institution. The narrative captures the transformative power of Black Sabbath's music, particularly focusing on the personal impact and solace the album provides to its protagonist, Roger. Critiques highlight Darnielle’s adeptness at weaving emotional depth and authenticity into the novella, celebrating its unique approach within the 33 1/3 series as both innovative and deeply resonant for music and literary fans alike.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780826428998

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 June 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 121.0mm

Height: 165.0mm

Weight: 110g

Pages: 112

Collections

Arts & Culture John Darnielle Non-Fiction Series: 33 1/3

About the Author

John Darnielle is the singer and songwriter otherwise known as the Mountain Goats.

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